The Ultimate Inca Trail Trek can operate with just 2 people. Weekly dates available from mid-March to December, please contact the office.

BOOK EARLY TO ENSURE AN INCA TRAIL PERMIT IS AVAILABLE. THESE ARE SOLD ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS AND ONCE THEY ARE GONE, THEY ARE GONE

Without a doubt the Inca Trail is, and always will be, one of the world’s awe-inspiring walks. It is not long (as far as treks go), but does go to quite a significant altitude (4200m) before dropping down to the ‘most famous pile of rocks in the world’, Machu Picchu. Steeped in mystical history, the classic trail passes many other interesting ruins before arriving at the extensive ruined ‘Lost City of the Incas’. Our itinerary allows more time than most on the trail, making the walking easier, giving you more time to acclimatise and more time to explore and learn about the history and culture surrounding this region. We visit Machu Picchu early in the morning before the crowds arrive, returning to Cusco using the Vistadome train in the afternoon. A full day is scheduled in Cusco after the trek when you can choose simply to relax in this delightful city, or try some rafting, horse riding or mountain biking.

There are alternative walks that lead to Machu Picchu, but they are not the Inca Trail trek. You must have a permit to walk the trail, and these are limited. Working closely with our colleagues in Cusco, we will obtain these permits for you but the earlier you book the more certain we can be to secure a permit.

Extensions are available for this trek - please see the Trip Dossier tab for further details.

The Cusco sightseeing days before the trek are now private tours for Adventure Peaks clients. For the 5 day Inca Trail trek you will be joining clients from other countries and will be led by a fully qualified local Peruvian guide.

Private Trips are also available on dates to suit you, please contact the office for more information.

Dates & Prices

Itinerary

Day 1 Depart UK

Day 2 On arrival from your spectacular flight along the Andes to Cusco, we transfer you to your hotel and start acclimatising to the rarefied air of this beautiful city (3326m). In the afternoon, we take a short walking tour of the centre of Cusco to familiarise you with the main sights, restaurants and a chance to stretch your legs and experience hiking at 3300m. At a convenient time you guide will arrange a full briefing for the days ahead.

Day 3 From Cusco we visit the water temple of Tambo Machay, the “Red Fort” of Pucara, the mysterious engraved Huaca of Quenko and the impressive Sacsayhuaman, With a private expert guide and private transport, this is the best way to see the outlying Cusco ruins in just a half a day.

Day 4 The hike starts at the fascinating circular ruins of Moray. While some think it was a landing pad for alien spaceships, more likely is that the Incas built this as an experimental agricultural centre. Concentric circular terraces allowed them to simulate different facing slopes and different growing temperatures to see what crops would grow where. With a homemade picnic along the way you hike on down, past the spectacular salt pans of Maras to end in the Sacred Valley.

Day 5 After an interesting drive to the end of the road at Chilca we meet our support team of traditional porters before embarking on the famous Inca trail to Machu Picchu. The trek undulates along the banks of the Urubamba river and we camp the night at Llactapata (2,788m) beside some spectacular ruins which, if you have the energy, we have time to explore. This is camping and trekking in style. Whilst walking all you need to carry is a daypack, all camping equipment is carried by the porters. All camp chores are done for us and delicious food is served by a cook and his helpers.

Day 6 We trek up the Cusichaca valley to the small hamlet of Huallyabamba, the last inhabited place on the trail. The path continues on up beautiful Inca path, past humming birds and stunted cloud forest. Our camp is at Llulluchupampa (3680m) - a beautiful grassy area with outstanding views down the valley.

Day 7 Possibly the hardest day of the trek, we rise early and head to the top of Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman’s Pass 4200m). This is the highest point of the trail before we descend into the Pacasmayo valley and then climb again passing the first of many Inca ruins Runkuracay. Our second pass of the day (3998m) gives us spectacular views of the Vilcabamba range. Walking on well preserved Inca pathway we pass Sayacmarca ruins with plenty of time for an in depth tour and explanation before passing through a tunnel and a gentle climb which brings us to Phuyupatamarca ruins (the place above the clouds) where we camp (3650m).

Day 8 After an early morning chance to catch the sunrise on the surrounding snow-capped mountains of Salcantay (6200m) and Veronica (5800m), we say a farewell to our porters with a traditional song and dance. Our final day hiking brings us down into the cloud forest on a series of Inca stairway to Winay Wayna, another interesting ruin full of swallows and orchids. Finally we contour through cloud-forest to Inti Punku, the gateway of the Sun and our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. We pass through the ruins and catch a bus down to our hotel in the colourful town of Machu Picchu Pueblo (formally known as Aguas Calientes) and celebrate our return to civilisation.

Day 9 Returning first thing in the morning we have Machu Picchu virtually to ourselves for a full guided tour, with time to climb Huayna Picchu (due to permit restrictions, please let us know when booking if you want to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain) or else just wander through the ruins, soaking up the amazing atmosphere. In the afternoon, we board the train for an exhilarating ride along the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here our waiting bus whisks us back to Cusco and our hotel. Then if we have the energy we can explore Cusco’s excellent nightlife.

Day 10 Today, we transfer to Cusco airport in time for your internal and international flights home.

Day 11 Arrive home

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